Interrogation

The Punishment Sword Division—among the major sects of Xuantian Sword Sect—was also in charge of enforcing internal rules.

From disputes to criminal cases, all fell under their jurisdiction.

In ordinary courts, suspects knelt during questioning.

But in the cultivation world, one only knelt to their Master—not to anyone else.

Suspects typically sat on chairs.

The presiding elder sat at the head.

The accused sat to the right.

The accuser, to the left.

The accuser was, of course, someone Gong Ning knew well—Gong Changqian.

The judge’s gavel slammed down, making the candle flames flicker violently, tearing the shadows along the hall into jagged fragments.

“Elder Gong Ning.”

The judge’s gaze, sharp as a blade, swept over the female witness seated among the supporting witnesses.
“Is the accused, Tao Lingling, unquestionably your direct disciple?”

Gong Ning’s voice was low, steady.
“She is indeed my disciple.”

Before she could finish, the black-robed elder on the plaintiff’s side sneered aloud:

“Elder Gong Ning, what audacity! Hiding a remnant of the fallen dynasty to wreak havoc in the mortal world—and teaching her Taoist Devouring Life Record and Soul Tempering Formula!”

Gong Changqian’s words dripped with venom—old grudges from the freshman competition now sharpened into weapons in court.

The judge turned to Gong Ning.
“Is what Elder Gong Changqian says true?”

Gong Ning’s fists clenched in her sleeves, fingertips trembling.

“It is true.

But—what do you mean, ‘wreaking havoc’? This child was born into misfortune. She only learned she was a remnant of the fallen dynasty after her family was destroyed. How can you judge her character based on that?”

“Silence!”

The gavel slammed again.

Gong Ning glared at the judge.

She had spoken factually, without disruption—why interrupt her?

Tang Qiaohuan suddenly spoke up:
“Elder Gong Ning, don’t rush. Just speak calmly. The Punishment Sword Division will surely clear your name, right?”

The judge glanced at Tang Qiaohuan—then said nothing.

Gong Ning exhaled slightly, continuing:
“This child has blocked meridians. Normal cultivation methods are useless for her. That’s why I sought out these unconventional techniques as a trial. The heretical arts she cultivates are severe—but she hasn’t used them to harm the world. Great Yan values coexistence and truth. Will the Punishment Sword Division convict her for something that hasn’t happened?”

Gong Changqian slammed the table, rising.
“Heretical arts are heretical arts! Don’t call them ‘unconventional techniques’!”

“Silence!”

The judge stood, his aura erupting.

Even Gong Changqian, the highest cultivator present, felt pressure.

Tang Qiaohuan muttered under her breath:
“Tch. Such official arrogance. Makes you think he’s some imperial minister…”

“Are you questioning the Punishment Sword Division’s fairness?

If you have grievances, bring the Sect Master.

Unrelated personnel—forbidden from speaking in court!”

“Ah, no, no! I’m just here to learn. My father always tells me to go out, learn from different sects. Isn’t that reasonable?”

“Hmph.”

The judge sat back down, scowling, then turned to Gong Ning.

“Accused, state your origin, when you began cultivation, and whether you’ve ever killed anyone. Speak quickly and truthfully.”

Tao Lingling had been holding back.

If not for her Master’s warning to speak little, she wouldn’t have stayed silent this long.

And the Taoist Devouring Life Record? She had cultivated it herself—yet her Master was taking the blame.

“My name is Tao Lingling. I’m from Tianyuan City in the Central Land of Great Yan. I’ve killed several Xuan Yuan Sect cultivators.”

“The accuser claims you’re a remnant of Great Yuan.

I ask you—is this true?”

Gong Ning’s heart clenched.

This was a trap.

Say yes, and the identity was confirmed.

Say no—but the evidence was there. She’d only be punished more severely.

“Since the day I was born, I’ve been a citizen of Great Yan.

I was raised under Great Yan’s education, eat Great Yan’s food, drink Great Yan’s water.

Now you suddenly call me a remnant of Great Yuan—how should I answer?”

Gong Ning exhaled.

Tang Qiaohuan smiled inwardly.

Who knew her clueless senior sister had finally woken up?

Looks like being a demoness wasn’t for nothing.

Gong Changqian sneered again.
“Pretty words. But it’s not that simple!”

He stood, pulling a yellowed scroll from his robe.
“Elder, please examine this. I obtained it from the Central Land’s civil authorities. Three months ago, a report came in—someone’s cultivator son had died under suspicious circumstances. And just days ago, when the Governance Institute examined the bodies of several Xuan Yuan Sect members, they found a commonality… all were killed by the Taoist Devouring Life Record!”

The words struck Gong Ning like thunder.

Not concrete proof—many doubts remained.

But enough to send Lingling to the Punishment Sword Division’s prison for an indefinite time.

The judge flipped through the scroll, his expression growing graver.

“Tell me—did you kill these people?”

Could she lie? No.

Not only were there truth-detecting artifacts, but the scroll would detail the victims’ injuries.

This was a fishing question—meant to trap her into lying, so she’d face harsher punishment.

“Yes. I killed them.”

“Gong Ning! What do you have to say for yourself?!”

“Silence! Silence!”

The gavel nearly shattered.

“Tao Lingling—explain your reasons!”

Tao Lingling spoke plainly:
“Three months ago, I awoke from a dream—only to learn I was born of Great Yuan. I refused to live as a traitor, so I severed ties and walked the cultivation path alone. On the way, I encountered unscrupulous unaffiliated cultivators. I’d learned sword arts since childhood—but never experienced actual combat. I didn’t know my own strength…”

Tang Qiaohuan sighed.

Half truth, half lie—good.

But she’d fallen into a trap.

These days, fewer and fewer heroes acted on justice.

Great Yan’s laws had grown strict.

Whether intervening in injustice or acting on vengeance—any act not permitted by law was itself punishable.

At best, only the sentence would differ.

And worse—she’d said something she shouldn’t have.

“So you admit—you did kill that unaffiliated cultivator? And you already knew you were a remnant of Great Yuan?”

Tao Lingling realized it instantly.

“This matter… I did not tell my Master. Only yesterday did I reveal it. She clearly stated she would follow the law—let impartial justice decide my fate. There was no concealment.”

Gong Ning closed her eyes.

Her clever disciple had removed her from the case.

But this wasn’t something to celebrate.

The gavel slammed again.

“Take Tao Lingling into custody!

Notify the Governance Institute—punishment shall match the crime!”

It was the best possible outcome.

Only punishment for the crime—no exile, no cultivation severed.

That meant there was still room to negotiate.

Watching Lingling being led away, Gong Ning’s heart ached—fueled by a long-forgotten rage.

Let Tianjian Pavilion come.

But why harm her disciple?

She would clear Lingling’s name.

If Lingling suffered any harm during this time—no matter the cost—she would make Tianjian Pavilion pay in blood.

“Gong Ning! I now call you to stand for questioning!”

Hearing the judge’s voice, Gong Ning let out a cold, resigned laugh.

So it wasn’t over yet.